Euripides, Alcestis; Hercules saves the day

And I'm back to writing as I read the books. And wow, this is quite different. I just sat down and read the play in one sitting and I'm already writing about it. I might manage to rebuild a buffer yet!
In other news, I've sat down and written the list of books and the dates that I need to publish their blogs and it looks like we are going to be working through Euripides for the rest of the year on the BC list.

The Story
Apollo starts by discussing with death, the upcoming death of Aclestis and trying to convince death not to take her. He has previously convinced death to take her rather than Admetus, her husband. This was a deal they struck on: death would pass over Admetus, if he could take someone else in his place. His parents refused, but his wife accepted that role and so knows that her life is coming to an end.
Admetus is with his failing wife to the end, with their two young children. After she passes, but before she is buried, Admetus' father turns up with burial gifts. Ademetus turns him away saying that if his father had had a bit more courage it would be him dead instead of his wife. His father hits back with the accusation that Ademetus is the coward for letting his wife take his place in death. His father then leaves.
Hercules then arrives and asks for hospitality, though he does ask Ademetus who has died, Ademetus does not want to turn him away and so lies and says it is a stranger. He puts Hercules in the guest wing and then goes to bury his wife. Hercules is feasting and drinking but the servants are all down cast. He asks them why they are so down cast and it comes out that it is Ademetus' wife that has died and Hercules takes it on himself to go and wrestle her back from death.
Ademetus returns to the palace to find Hercules, having just returned and fitted for war, rather than feasting. Hercules has with him a young woman who he tries to give to Ademetus. He tries to refuse but is eventually forced into it. At which time, he recognises her as his wife, back from the dead. Hercules offers little explanation and heads off on his way to perform one of his labours.

Reflections
I think is the first Greek play we have come across that is not a tragedy and actually ends on an upbeat, with Aclestis being returned alive to Ademetus. Although it is clear that Hercules has fought with death and won, we do not see the fight itself being played out on stage. He just goes away and comes back with her. This is more of Hercules, the hero, as I had expected to see play out in the plays.
Apollo states in the very beginning, Hercules would fight with death and return Aclestis to life, it is only as the play progresses that we see why: as a repayment for the hospitality given at such a time of grief. The 'how', however is only alluded to by Apollo in the beginning and, again, by Hercules before and after returning with Aclestis.

Comparisons
This is the first really positive story we have seen of Hercules. In contrast, the Shield of Heracles just focuses on a single battle and we see a lot more of Hercules' positive character. We see this in how he responds to the hospitality he is given after he realises that his host's wife is dead.
Alcestis also has a much happier ending to the story than we see in Women of Trachis as we see Hercules successful, rather than writhing in pain.

Have you read Alcestis? If so what did you think of it?

Want to read Alcestis but haven't? Hopefully this inspires you to take the time to do so.
Get a copy of Alcestis.